Breaking into the music scene in Ireland seems a daunting task for a young newcomer with impressive qualifications, but few contacts.

"When I first arrived, people said forget it, this city is wrapped up on the chamber music scene," says London-born choral conductor Blβnaid Murphy.

Blβnaid went on to confound the cynics, conducting seven different choral groups, establishing her own recording company and gaining a reputation as the most sought-after choral conductor in the country.

Carlow Choral Society, the Irish Philarmonic Chorus, the RT╔ Chamber Choir, RT╔ C≤r na n ╙g, Dra∅ocht, Canzona, Longford County Choir and the choir of the Church of the Sacred Heart in Donnybrook are now under Blβnaid's direction - a staggering workload which the dynamic young conductor takes in her stride.

"The moment I got here, I was asked to take over the Carlow Choral society. When we did Mozart's Requiem in May, I told Anne Leahy at the School of Music I was short of sopranos and she very kindly persuaded a group to come down to sing.

"The Carlow choir is incredibly good and gets a lot of engagements. They've gone along with all my mad ideas - I'll never leave them," laughs Blβnaid.

Blβnaid bought her ground-floor apartment near Christchurch shortly after she arrived from London. Housing was plentiful and inexpensive and she paid £45,000 (€57,140) for a two-bedroom apartment that would leave little change out of £200,000 (€253,950) today.

"I just walked in here, liked it and got it. One of the bedrooms is for my work, so when people come to stay, it's a bit tight. The fact that I can walk everywhere is terrific - it would take a lot to persuade me to move.

"I don't know my neighbours because I've my own entrance. It's odd - a bit anonymous. But because I'm out most evenings, I'm at home during the day and there's great life in the city centre."

Brought up in London of Irish parents, Blβnaid's roots were always in this country.

"I never felt English, ever. For me, Ireland is my natural place and I'm happy being here. Mum and Dad are ecstatic about it, of course.

"My brother is extremely English and really conservative. He says it's a different solution to the same problem."

With seven choirs around the country to direct and her own recording company, there is little time for leisure in Blβnaid's busy week. "I do love my work. In some ways, my life is very disciplined. On the other hand, it lacks the order of some careers. I try not to work every night and I take Friday off to catch up."

Probably the only freelance choir conductor in Ireland, Blβnaid says she has always loved the voice and choirs in particular. She is shy of publicity and shuns the limelight, preferring to inspire people and get them enthused about music.

"In a choir, you meet a microcosm of the world. Its a very emotional experience for them, so as a conductor, you connect with people through emotion.

"Great things can happen. A child suddenly sings beautifully - I find that very gratifying. Very shy kids - even if desperately shy - will somehow let you know they're good.

"I couldn't be a subservient housewife. My career is very important to me and the person will have to buy into that or else. I'd need a very calm, stable person."

Two aspects of Irish life come in for strong criticism - the scarcity of outlets for talented young Irish singers and the inadequacy of music training for children in schools.

"Music's something you can't really learn late in life. Some people in my choirs wish they had experienced more as a child. It really should be taught in all schools.

"Everyone has musical aptitude which fluctuates up to the age of nine. It stabilises then and never changes."

Setting up a children's opera company is one of Blβnaid's dreams that looks like coming true.

She and her friend Catherine Killoran have just set up the Dublin School of Young Singers from the church hall in Donnybrook.

"Taking on the Sacred Heart choir was one of the best things that ever happened. Suddenly I have a base - I've always wanted to set up a singing club for kids and now it's happened. We've already enrolled 40 young people."

Blβnaid's apartment is occasionally used for spontaneous get-togethers around her Boston upright piano.

"When I make my millions and move, I'll get a grand piano. Right now, I can't see any reason to move to a bigger space. I would like a garden and I'd love a dog, but I can't imagine myself finding the time to look after them. I'm very obsessive. If I have a concert on, I'm completely obsessed with that."